Any game against Liverpool is massive for us and always has been. However, in recent years the two clubs have endured an even bigger rivalry through numerous Champions League battles. In the Premier League however, and let's be honest here, despite one season when Rafa guided Liverpool to second, Liverpool's challenge for the title has become a distant memory!

Tomorrow at the time of kick off, we all know Liverpool are right up there challenging at the top of the league and Jose Mourinho has stated that he believes they CAN win it based on their lack of involvement in either European Competition.

Jose said:

"Man City are the big, big, big favourites. Liverpool are on holidays one season, you know. One week to prepare a match, play the match, one more week to prepare the next match. An unbelievable advantage.

I think they can [win the league] because they are good, because Brendan is good, because they have time to prepare the team tactically, because they are not involved in the heat of the knock-out situation in the Champions League or even Europa League. These players are going to play 60 matches for Chelsea. Liverpool will play 40 matches. It’s a big difference. Quality plus ambition plus this advantage so yes [they can win the league].”

It's a good point he is making. OK, both Chelsea and City have massive squads and plenty of quality to choose from. We can rotate players from game to game to cope with the games coming thick and fast but that doesn't bode well long term for having a settled side.

If anything you look at Man City now and you can name at least eight players that will start each and every single league game (providing they are not injured or suspended). At Chelsea, none of us can do that quite yet!

As for Liverpool, I believe they are the same as City and if anything, you can more or less the same starting eleven but for one or two changes from week to week.

They have a settled side with the best striker in the world at the moment who is scoring and making goals for fun and we cannot ignore the threat they pose. You do have to question what would happen if Luis Suarez picked up an injury. Would Liverpool pose the same threat?

Tomorrow's game will be interesting to see how Liverpool cope after having to face Man City on Boxing Day and now us tomorrow.

Chelsea have the advantage of being able to rotate players, Liverpool do not have that many options so I wonder how the game will pan out?

As for the title race? Do you think that Liverpool have to be considered as serious contenders?